Our History

TIA has been responsible for river shoal marking as well as other river safety programs.

Origin

In 1934, the mayor of Gananoque, George R. Webb initiated the formation of a protective association consisting of township officials in policing the islands during the winter. The idea became public in August of that year when the Ganonoque Reporter featured a story with the headline “Summer Visitors Organize.” Shortly afterwards, a group of interested island owners and local residents held their first meeting in the Gananoque Town Hall as The Summer Residents’ Association of the Township and Landsdowne. Members of this group agreed that the shoals were a major hazard on the St.Lawrence River and were labelled as a “menace to navigation.” Soon the headlines read “Better Marking of Shoals” to increase the community’s awareness of the ongoing efforts in place to improve shoal placement. The first efforts involved shoals marked with planks of wood, often painted bright orange. However, they were easily waterlogged and eventually replaced by tin and plastic barrels.

Over the years the membership grew beyond the Admiralty Islands, attracting boaters and islanders from the Lake Fleet, Navy and Ivy Lea Groups and Rockport. Word of mouth about the usefulness of having shoal markers spread and soon there was no boundary – TIA marked both sides of the border.

1980’s – Present Day

In the 1980’s the US Coast Guard decreed that all shoal markers on navigable waters had to be uniform in shape and markings. The cost went from $10 a barrel to $100 each plus the price of anchor & chain (2017 cost is now over $200). Everyone was asked to find new members to help cover these escalating costs.

TIA has been responsible for river shoal marking as well as other river safety programs. A simple safety card with local emergency numbers was made available by an island phone for residents to use when necessary. Other TIA initiatives included the eradication of gypsy moth larvae, providing defibrillators at marinas, the development of a campaign on fire pumps for islanders and remote locations, and securing funding for local Canadian and US fire departments to purchase essential equipment.

TIA has partnered with the Save the River organization in Clayton to coordinate a shoal marking program on the St. Lawrence River in the Thousand Islands. 300 shoals have since been marked. The TIA is responsible for placing shoal markers on the Canadian side from the eastern end of Howe Island in the Bateau Channel to Brockville. TIA provides and Save the River places shoal markers on the US side from Cape Vincent to Morristown.

Why Your Membership Matters

TIA is the only organization placing shoal markers for the River Community - this is an essential service. Our mission of river safety is to heighten boater’s awareness of some dangerous shoals to avoid . TIA strongly encourages all boaters to use navigation charts when navigating the St. Lawrence River. Please be a TIA supporter, we rely on membership dues & donations to be sustainable.

Connect with TIA on social media and be part of our river community.